Donna Brazile, (left) political strategist and author of "Cooking with Gease" and Maria Echaveste, former Deputy chief of Staff to Bill Clinton, conclude a question and answer session at the Emerge California, summer salon at the African American Art & Cultural Center on in San Francisco, Ca. on Wednesday August 3, 2011.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Donna Brazile, (left) political strategist and author of "Cooking...

Image 2 of 5

(left to right) Sharmin Bock, candidate for San Francisco District Attorney, Christine Pelosi, Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus and Leslie Katz, San Francisco Port Commissioner and former supervisor, attend the meeting to hear Donna Brazile, political strategist and author of "Cooking with Gease", speaking at the Emerge California, summer salon at the African American Art & Cultural Center on in San Francisco, Ca. on Wednesday August 3, 2011.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

(left to right) Sharmin Bock, candidate for San Francisco District...

Image 3 of 5

Donna Brazile, political strategist and author of "Cooking with Grease," speaks to the Emerge California summer salon at the African American Art & Cultural Center on in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday August 3, 2011.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Donna Brazile, political strategist and author of "Cooking with...

Image 4 of 5

Donna Brazile, political strategist and author of "Cooking with Grease," signs copies of her book after speaking to the Emerge California summer salon at the African American Art & Cultural Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday August 3, 2011.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Donna Brazile, political strategist and author of "Cooking with...

Image 5 of 5

Donna Brazile, political strategist and author of "Cooking with Grease," speaks to the Emerge California summer salon at the African American Art & Cultural Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday August 3, 2011.

SAN FRANCISCO -- In this era of harsh political rhetoric and personal attacks in Washington, D.C. - witness the debt deal debate - why would women want to continue to fight their way into the mosh pit of American politics?

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, one of the toughest women in the arena, has the answer: The fetid atmosphere is even more reason for women to want to change the male-dominated debate, she said Wednesday in San Francisco.

Women make up more than half the U.S. population but hold fewer than 25 percent of all legislative seats, 18 percent of congressional seats and only a handful of governorships. Those are numbers that make the incentive to run greater than ever, current and prospective female candidates said.

Brazile urged them to "stay in the game. Do not let your voice be diminished by those who are able to scream louder and diminish others." The event was sponsored by Emerge California, a group that supports female candidates.

A need for reason

The organization's summer "school" came after a particularly tough and contentious time in politics, accentuated by the hyper-partisan debates over raising the debt ceiling that unfolded live on television.

"If you watch the political mayhem in Washington, it's clear we need more reasoned voices," said Stacey Lawson of San Rafael, a Democrat who has declared her candidacy for the U.S. House seat held by retiring Democratic Rep. Lynn Woolsey in the Sixth District.

Although a congressional candidacy is daunting given the expense and competitiveness, Lawson said she's convinced she has much to offer.

"I have the skill set and the background in the key issues," she said. "We need a new vision on how to create jobs and economy on the North Coast."

Sharmin Bock, a candidate for San Francisco district attorney, was also determined to run despite the current combative climate.

"In a city as progressive as San Francisco," said Bock, a veteran prosecutor, it's surprising that there are no women in citywide elected posts. The dearth of women was apparent in a recent public meeting, she said, when "I was asked, 'Who's your base?' "

San Francisco mayoral candidate Joanna Rees said that for many women - herself included - pursuing elected office is "purpose driven" and not about power.

Getting beyond the 'noise'

Rees, a successful venture capitalist making her first political run, said that like the business world, much of the negative battles are "all about noise" - and women often know instinctively how to get beyond that.

"I've knocked on 7,500 doors in San Francisco myself - in heels," said Rees, who relishes neighborhood talks as part of her run. "I love that part of it, staying close to the community. Because people do really say they want something else."

"With a preponderance of women on the Board of Supervisors, it was a much more functional group," said Katz, an attorney who was elected to the board in 1996 and now serves on the city's Port Commission. "It has become antagonistic ... and women have the collaborative viewpoint that brings more to the conversation."

"I can hear my mother's voice: "Why do you even bother to respond to these people?" said Christine Pelosi, who wrote "Campaign Bootcamp: Basic Training for Future Leaders," a book intended to encourage female candidates.

With new California legislative district lines now drawn, she said, female candidates must be ready to make bold moves more than ever.